Energy bars - Dentists notice that some people who eat a lot of nutrition bars without rinsing or brushing after can increase their risk of dental decay

Energy bars are a popular way for fitness-conscious folks to fuel a workout. But dentists say what may be good for your body could harm your teeth.

You can find nutrition bars in every convenience store, drug store and grocery store. They are chock full of healthy-sounding ingredients that make them chewy and appealing. But if you aren’t careful, what you do and don’t do after you them them can lead to a trip to the dentist for unwanted cavities.

Some professionals are noting an increase in dental decay in unlikely patients. And with a little detective work, they’re finding energy bars are the culprit. That’s because many of these products are extremely gooey. They stick around in your mouth longer, giving bacteria more time to work on it.

“The more stick it is, the more caramel it has, the more chocolate it has, the more dried fruit it has, the more the potential is there for them to linger in your mouth, to get stuck in the little crevices in between your teeth,” explained Dr. Vidya Sankar, Oral Medicine Clinic Director for the U.T. Health Science Center Dental School.

It’s not that we have to stop eating nutrition bars, or that we’re powerless to protect ourselves. Sankar says even rinsing your mouth vigorously with water after eating can help.

“This way it’ll help to dislodge those little food particles, those sugar particles, in between your teeth a little bit better,” said Sankar.

Of course, the most effective choice may not be the most practical. Brushing and flossing your teeth as soon as possible will decrease your risk of decay.

Floss, floss, floss...but if you can’t do that, reach for BrytonPick - FLOSS In Seconds (www.brytonpick.com). BrytonPick is an interdental cleaner, which removes food particles from between teeth in seconds.

Sales of energy bars are soaring. They’re a favorite choice of athletes, students, even busy moms on the go. Dentists just want their patients to be aware of the hidden downside of what for many people is a daily snack.